Faced with the Seemingly Impossible

When I am faced with trying circumstances, with the seemingly impossible, and with a situation where the odds are overwhelmingly against me, I am reminded of the time Jesus called a child into the midst of His disciples. He said,

“Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me” (Mt. 18:3-5).

One childhood memory of mine is of singing this song in children’s church:

My God is so big, so strong and so mighty,
there’s nothing my God cannot do. (repeat)
The mountains are His, the valleys are His,
the stars are His handiwork too.
My God is so big, the so strong and so mighty,
there’s nothing my God cannot do.

This song is simple, but it says it all. Do I have child-like faith to trust God when my problems seem bigger than the tallest mountains, when my hope seems lower than the lowest valleys, and when my solutions seem farther away than the furthest star?

Oh, there’s always someone out there who is going through bigger trials than me! I’m not recovering from open-heart surgery like one child I know is doing today. My husband didn’t lose his job like someone I know did today. In fact, in the news today I read that one of our locally renowned composers apparently jumped in front of a train committing suicide. Who knows what problems appeared too overwhelming for this brilliant, successful composer who had a wife, a highly esteemed professorship at U.C. Berkeley, and a world-premiere performance of his year-long masterpiece to look forward to tonight. Also in the news, a fellow flutist announced a benefit concert for a 10-yr. old boy who was accidently hit in a cross-fire from a bank robber crossing the street. The boy is now paralyzed from the waist down.

No matter how big or small our worries, situations, conflicts and problems seem to be today, God promises to never leave nor forsake his children in this life. His Word is overflowing with promises that cannot be broken. No burden is too heavy for the Lord.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Mt. 11:28-30).

When life doesn’t make any sense to me and all seems awry, I remember what it means to be a child of God. When I was a child I trusted that my parents would take care of me, period. I had parents that cared a lot about me so it is hard to imagine how God cares for us amazingly much more than our loving, yet fallible parents!! Some day, I may understand why I am going through the trials I am, but for now I must be like a child who trustingly rely’s on God’s power to change events, circumstances, and people, including myself.

Being a child of God means not having to make sense out of my situation first before deciding whether to trust and walk in obedience to the things I already understand. Praying to God, believing and trusting in God, caring about others around me rather than getting self-absorbed with my own problems, and being patient for God to do His work in me and others is what this life is all about, because it is how we can bring glory to God. According to Jesus, humbly relying on our heavenly Father for our daily existence, health, and future is key to being the greatest in heaven. This is child-like faith in God, and with God all things are possible!

“And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible” (Mark 10:27).